Established in March of 1986, the National Construction Safety Executives (NCSE) is a group of Executive Safety Professionals from 30 of the top design, engineering and construction firms in the nation. These individuals meet regularly to discuss and share information, ideas, and construction industry best practices.
The NCSE assembled the Future Leaders of Construction Safety (FLOCS) in the fall of 2015. The FLOCS is a group of safety, health & environmental (SH&E) young professionals under the age of 35 who exhibit high potential and an inclination to expand their industry expertise. The NCSE tasked the FLOCS with collecting, reviewing, and sharing SH&E best practices. The project allowed the FLOCS to network with experienced SH&E professionals, and further develop their understanding of SH&E best practices currently deployed throughout the construction industry.
This paper reviews the Future Leaders of Construction Safety SH&E Best Practices Project. The definition of best practice, challenges faced when implementing a best practice, effective persuasion strategies, and advice and recommendations for SH&E young professionals are examined herein.
Best practice is a term or expression that has long been used throughout various industries. Organizations often develop, implement, and utilize best practices with the goal of increasing production, reducing costs, and separating themselves from the competition. But what exactly is a best practice? More specifically, what is an SH&E best practice with regard to the construction industry?
The FLOCS interviewed NCSE members in an effort to uncover the true connotation of a best practice. During the interview process, the FLOCS asked, "What is an SH&E best practice?" When this question was asked, many of the members' responses, though insightful, were not immediate. The FLOCS believe this is because commonly used terms, such as best practice, tend to take on an identity of their own, thus the true definition is forgotten.
